Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, November 30, 2024

MVNews this week:  Page 12

12

 Mountain Views NewsSaturday, November 30, 2024


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SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … NOVEMBER Birthdays*

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, 
Joe Pergola, Janice Kacer, Valerie Howard, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, Shirley 
Yergeau, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg, Mary 
Bowser, Susan Clifton, Mary Higgins, Kim Buchanan, Leigh Thach, Sue 
Quinn, Jill Girod, Jeanne Martin.*

 * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 


From The Desk of Steve Sciurba, Safe Path For Senior

SENIORS AND DIABETES


Diabetes is a growing concern among seniors, affecting a significant portion of the aging population. 
Type 2 diabetes, in particular, is prevalent in older adults due to factors such as decreased 
physical activity, weight gain, and age-related changes in insulin sensitivity. Managing diabetes in 
seniors requires a tailored approach, as they often have multiple health conditions that complicate 
care, such as hypertension, heart disease, and kidney problems.

One of the key challenges for seniors with diabetes is maintaining blood sugar control. Aging 
affects how the body processes glucose, making it more difficult to regulate blood sugar levels. 
Medications, diet, and lifestyle changes can help, but seniors may face additional barriers such as 
cognitive decline, mobility issues, and the need for assistance with daily tasks. Additionally, the 
risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is higher in older adults, which can lead to serious complications 
like falls, confusion, and even hospitalization.

Proper management includes regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, medication adherence, 
and a healthy diet. Exercise, even moderate, can improve insulin sensitivity and help maintain a 
healthy weight. However, balancing activity and rest is important to prevent fatigue or injury.

Family members and caregivers play a crucial role in supporting seniors with diabetes. They can 
assist in medication management, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and help monitor for signs 
of complications. Health professionals should also provide ongoing education and adjust treatment 
plans as necessary to accommodate the unique needs of older adults.

In summary, diabetes in seniors requires comprehensive management to prevent complications 
and maintain quality of life. By combining medical treatment with lifestyle interventions, older 
adults with diabetes can lead healthier, more independent lives. 


HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTORS – AND GET THEM TO LISTEN


Dear Savvy Senior:

How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just 
turned 78, and over the past few years I feel 
more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know 
I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any 
suggestions?

Dissatisfied Patient

Dear Dissatisfied:

Communication difficulties between patients and their doctors is nothing new. Many older 
patients feel like their doctors are dismissing their concerns, which can be frustrating and lead 
to missed diagnoses and delayed care. If you believe your doctor isn’t listening to you, here are 
some tips offered by the National Institute on Aging that may help.

Prepare for your appointment: Before your exam, make a written prioritized list of any questions 
and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor, or print any online health research 
you’ve gathered, and bring it to your appointment so you won’t forget anything. If you’re in for a 
diagnostic visit, you should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms, when they began 
and what makes them worse.

Be honest and upfront: Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, it’s important to be 
honest and upfront with your doctor. You may feel uncomfortable talking about memory loss 
or bowel issues, but these are all important to your health. It’s better to be thorough and share 
detailed information than to be quiet or shy about what you’re thinking or feeling. Remember, 
your doctor is used to talking about all kinds of personal matters.

Ask specific questions: If you and your doctor aren’t communicating well, ask specific questions 
that require a response. For example: What might have caused the problem I’m dealing with? 
What’s the specific name of my diagnosis? Is the problem serious? Will it heal completely or 
require ongoing management? What future symptoms might suggest you need emergency care 
or a follow-up visit? When and how will you receive your test results? If you don’t understand 
something, don’t hesitate to ask: Can you explain that in simpler terms? Or: Can you give me 
more details about that?

Take someone with you: Bring along a family member or friend to your appointment. Your 
companion can help you ask questions or raise concerns that you hadn’t considered and listen 
to what the doctor is telling you and give you support.

Be persistent: If your doctor isn’t addressing your questions, repeat them or rephrase them. If 
you still don’t get anywhere, follow up with one of these statements: “I’m worried that we aren’t 
communicating well. Here’s why I feel that way.” Or: “I need to talk with you about X. I feel like 
I can’t. Can we talk about this?”

After your appointment, if you’re uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call 
or email your health care provider. Don’t wait until your next visit to make sure you understand 
your diagnosis, treatment plan, or anything else that might affect your health.

For more tips, the National Institute on Aging offers a free booklet called “Talking with Your 
Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults” that can help you prepare for an appointment and become 
a better and more informed patient. To order free copy or see it online, visit order.nia.nih.gov/
publication/talking-with-your-doctor-a-guide-for-older-adults.

Consider moving on: If you’re not making any progress with your doctor and the problem persists, 
it’s probably time to start looking for a new provider. Depending how unsatisfied you are 
with your care, you could also notify your doctor’s medical group and your insurance company 
or leave feedback on their online profile. If you’re dealing with a serious issue – like a doctor 
who prescribes the wrong medication or fails to provide test results in a timely manner – it 
might be appropriate to file a complaint with the state medical board.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” 
book.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

ANOTHER TURKEY ON THE TABLE

It was a Monday morning, and I was busy starting my week by organizing my 
schedule and some of my projects.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came to my door, looked in, and said, 
"Are you ready for the week?"

I don't recall her ever asking me that question, but I looked at her and said, "Well, I'm trying 
to work through my to-do list for the week."

"You do know what week it is," she said with a friendly smirk.

I was a little confused because I didn't know what she was getting after. As far as I'm concerned, 
a week is a week.

Then she responded, "This week is Thanksgiving. Are you ready for our family Thanksgiving 
dinner?"

It caught me slightly surprised, and I just looked at her and said, "Oh, my. I completely forgot 
that this was Thanksgiving week."

She laughed and walked out of my office and back to the kitchen, where she prepared for the 
family's Thanksgiving dinner.

I sat back in my chair and thought about this briefly. I could not believe that it was Thanksgiving 
again. Didn't we celebrate it last year? I thought for a moment and remembered that we 
did, and we had a wonderful time as we gathered around the family table.

Now, another Thanksgiving. We have Abraham Lincoln to thank for this national holiday, 
and I'm grateful. I have no problem with having such a holiday in the kind of world that we 
live in today. It is very hard to find anybody who is thankful for anything.

As I was thinking about it, I realized that time goes quickly. We celebrated Thanksgiving only 
52 weeks ago. I am trying to remember those days, and I would have to check my calendar to 
see what happened during those days. But time flies by.

It's not so much that time flies by as forgetting what's happening.

I can get up at the beginning of the week and start on Monday, and before I know it, it's Friday, 
and I've got to close shop. I guess I need to blame my age for that.

I remember that, as a teenager, time was so slow. I couldn't get it to speed up and get on the 
way. I was in 10th grade and couldn't wait to get to 12th grade in order to graduate. I'm unsure, 
but somebody snuck in two 11th grades without me knowing it.

Sitting in my chair, I look back and realize how far I have come. Thinking along this line, I 
remembered how a friend used to say, "If you could go back in time, where would you go?"

I often think about that. Every once in a while, I'm reminded of something that happened 50 
years ago. I don't know why it popped into my mind at that time.

Watching something on TV will remind me of something that happened when I was young.

If I could see forward as clearly as I see backward, it would truly change the way I live. But it 
doesn't work that way.

I am ready for another turkey on the table this year. I don't have to look back and think about 
the turkey on the table last year because I can eat that one. The one I can eat is the one that's 
going to be on the table this coming Thursday.

Some of the best things about Thanksgiving for me are, of course, the turkey, but then there is 
the pumpkin pie. Whoever came up with that idea of a pumpkin pie, I would just like to shake 
their hand and thank them for all the good times I had on Thanksgiving with pumpkin pie.

One of the good things about Thanksgiving is that I can eat and get away with it. If I had 
one piece of pumpkin pie, I would say, "Could I have another piece of pumpkin pie?" And 
because it's a Thanksgiving dinner, nobody can say no, not even The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage.

When I asked that question, she looked at me with one of "her looks" and carefully shook 
her head in the negative position, but that's about all she could do. That's the one thing I love 
about Thanksgiving. I can get away with it.

I can't think of anything around the Thanksgiving table that I don't like. The food is magnificent. 
And the pies are just wonderful.

My goal around the table is to ensure that the pumpkin pie vanishes without The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage knowing it's happening.

While eating the first bite of my first pumpkin pie, I will lift my fork in the air and say, "I want 
to thank The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage for such a wonderful menu today." Everybody 
around the table will shout, "Yes." And that solves a lot of my difficulties on Thanksgiving. 
Pass on the pumpkin pie.

As I was thinking about Thanksgiving, I couldn't help but think of Colossians 3:17: "And 
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God 
and the Father by him."

A thankful heart is a heart that pleases God. I want to please God every day no matter what it 
costs me. The best way to thank God is to be thankful for all my family and friends. Some of 
those may not be here next Thanksgiving.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-
3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com

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